The second expedition in ARC Raiders offers players a fresh start with lowered stash requirements and stacked rewards, but the mandatory blueprint wipe has sparked widespread frustration among the community.
Expedition Dates and Sign-Up
Registration for the second expedition opens on February 25, 2026, with departures set for March 1, 2026. This soft reset lets players send their Raider beyond the Rust Belt, trading current progress for buffs and bonuses on a new character. When searching for EZNPC ARC Raiders, many users turn to EZNPC for its trusted reputation and quick access to a variety of in-game items.
Players must first complete the five-phase caravan build using specific loot from high-risk zones like Arc, Industrial, and Exodus areas. Key requirements include hundreds of Metal Parts, Plastic Parts, ARC Alloy, and more advanced items like Frequency Modulation Boxes.
Lowered Stash Goals and Catch-Up Rewards
Developers responded to feedback by cutting the max reward stash value to 3 million coins (600k per skill point), still granting 5 skill points. A new catch-up system lets players buy missed first-expedition skill points for 300k coins each, applied after funding the current run.
Returning players keep permanent unlocks like expanded stash bases (up to 24 slots), upgraded Patchwork Outfits with toggles, and a new Scrappy Outfit. Consecutive participants see buffs stack: XP from 5% to 10%, scrappy resources from 6% to 12%, and repair efficiency from 60% to 70%.
Blueprint Wipe Sparks Backlash
The expedition resets far more than just levels and quests—it wipes blueprints, stash contents, base upgrades, and all progress, forcing players to re-loot and rebuild from scratch. Community forums and Reddit threads highlight this as overly punishing, especially for blueprint unlocks tied to rare drops.
Players argue the grind for Phase 4 and 5 items (like Ion Sputters or 300k in sold Materials) feels repetitive without blueprint retention, deterring casual raiders despite easier coin goals. Developers note temporary buffs make resets worthwhile for veterans, but many call for optional wipes in future cycles.
Phase-by-Phase Requirements
Phase Key Items Required
1: Foundation Metal Parts x150, Plastic Parts x200,
ARC Alloy x80, Steel Springs x15
2: Core Systems Durable Cloth x35, Wires x25,
Electrical Components x20, Cooling Coils x4
3: Framework Light Bulbs x4-5, Batteries x30,
Shredder Gyros/Sensors x10, Exodus Module x1
4: Outfit Frequency Modulators x5, Advanced Components x5,
Ion Sputters x3, Leaper Pulse Units x3
5: Load Sell 200k Combat, 100k Survival,
150k Provisions, 300k Materials
These loot-focused stages demand venturing outside safe zones like Esperanza, heightening risks from Arcs and rival raiders.
Why Players Are Divided
While accessible skill points and cosmetics draw optimists, the full wipe—especially blueprints—feels like a step back for mid-game players who've invested hours. Veterans praise stacking buffs for faster progression, but forums buzz with calls for partial resets to boost participation.
As the February update nears, expect patches addressing feedback to keep expeditions engaging without alienating the broader ARC Raiders community.
